Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2027 Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319(h) Grant

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is soliciting grant applications under the Clean Water Act Section 319(h) program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 to implement watershed-based projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution and improving water quality. Applications must be submitted electronically by June 29, 2026, through the ESBD portal or via email to procurements&contracts@tceq.texas.gov, with a maximum file size of 25MB; larger submissions must use the TCEQ Send portal. Applicants must hold a valid Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov and comply with federal regulations including 2 CFR Part 200, Buy America requirements for construction over $250,000, and the EPA’s nine-element watershed protection plan standards. Nonprofit applicants must complete a Grantee Assessment Questionnaire and provide audited financial statements. The solicitation requires a detailed project plan aligned with Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285 for On-Site Sewage Facility inspections, including submission of quality assurance project plans, geospatial inventory data, outreach materials, and quarterly progress reports. All deliverables must be submitted in specified formats and undergo review and approval by TCEQ’s Project Manager. Award selection is based on a merit-based trade-off process totaling 250 points, with primary emphasis on Project Effectiveness (85 points), followed by Applicant Qualifications (65 points), Potential for Success (45 points), and Cost Effectiveness (55 points). Budgets must reflect a 60% federal and 40% non-federal cost match, with allowable costs including personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment over $10,000, contractual services, construction, and subawards for outreach. Contractors must maintain Best Management Practices for at least ten years and comply with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise requirements in subcontracting. Proposals are subject to disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act, and confidential information must be formally requested and justified. Performance occurs across decentralized project sites within Texas watersheds, with inspections documented by GPS coordinates and reports submitted electronically to TCEQ. While no formal contract clauses or packaging standards are listed, submission requirements are stringent, requiring signed acknowledgments, precise budget formatting, and demonstration of prior experience, stakeholder collaboration, and readiness to begin work immediately upon award.